more than 66,000 u.s. service members are still there, many of them getting some time to attend church services and celebrate with a proper christmas lunch. >>> back in this country, amid neighborhood celebrations and family gatherings across the country, it's a somber christmas day for the folks in newtown, connecticut. just 11 days since the tragedy at sandy hook elementary. we get more now from nbc's john yang. >> reporter: in newtown, connecticut, it was a day of lingering heartache, empty stockings hung as reminders of loss, now filled with gifts. first responders from surrounding communities gave their time so the town's police could spend the day with their families. >> just the right thing today. it's why we're here. something needs to be done, glad to be here. >> it's a pleasure to help them out. >> police officers giving police officers time off, i just think that you probably couldn't ask for a better christmas gift. >> reporter: in the new york area where hundreds are still without homes becaus